Profile based method for deriving a temperature setpoint using a 'delta' based on cross-indexing a received price-point level signal

• US 20060036350A1
• Filed: 08/10/2005
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gregory J. Merten, Michael B. Atlass, Philip J. Bohrer, Robert J. Schnell
• Original Assignee: Gregory J. Merten, Michael B. Atlass, Philip J. Bohrer, Robert J. Schnell
• Inventors: Schnell, Robert J., Atlass, Michael B., Merten, Gregory J., Bohrer, Philip J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,346,467 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/276
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/47 Responding to energy costs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 17/06 Measuring quantity of heat conveyed by flowing media, e.g. in heating systems G01K17/02, G01K17/04 take precedencee.g. the quantity of heat in a transporting medium, delivered to or consumed in an expenditure device
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2639 Energy management, use maximum of cheap power, keep peak load low
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1923 using thermal energy, the cost of which varies in function of time
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply

Abstract

A method for adjusting a plurality of controlled subsystems in a building or plant that facilitates cooperative energy usage with a utility provider. By referring to a single profile of adjustments that correspond to changes in the value of a utility signal and distributing this to each relevant controller for each subsystem, a single setback delta can be applied to each subsystem for each change in utility signal value (i.e., pricing information). Alternatively, multiple profiles can be used to provide for firmer control and thereby allow for different zones to respond differently to a single change signal sent by the utility provider.

Claims

1-11. -11. (canceled)

12. A method for controlling an environmental control system, wherein the environmental control system one or more setpoints for each of two or more time periods, the environmental control system controlling one or more environmental conditions of an inside space of a user'"'"'s facility/home/building in accordance with the two or more time periods and the one or more set points, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing a communication link with the environmental control system from a location that is remote from the user'"'"'s facility/home/building;

sending one or more commands to the environmental control system from the remote location via the communication link, the one or more commands used in determining one or more new setpoints for the environmental control system;

identifying a new setpoint for each of the two or more time periods based, at least in part, on one or more of the received commands; and

controlling one or more environmental conditions of the inside space of the user'"'"'s facility/home/building in accordance with the two or more time periods and the one or more new points.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the two or more time periods include a “

wake”

, a “

leave”

, a “

return” and

a “

sleep”

time period.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the new setpoint identified by the identifying step is different for a first time period than for a second time period.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the new setpoint identified by the identifying step represents a larger setpoint change for a first time period than for a second time period.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the new setpoint identified by the identifying step is programmable by a user.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the one or more commands are selected to help reduce the load on a utility during a higher load period.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein the one or more commands provide an indication of a current load on the utility.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein the environmental control system includes electrically powered device.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the environmental control system includes an air conditioning unit.

21. The method of claim 12 wherein the environmental control system includes an HVAC system device.

22. A method of operating an environmental control system, the environmental control system including a controller and making use of a setpoint to control operation of an environmental control apparatus, the method comprising:

receiving a signal from a utility that provides energy to the environmental control apparatus, the signal indicating utility conditions falling into at least a first category and a second category and;

if the signal indicates conditions of the first category, operating the environmental control apparatus using a first setpoint, and

if the signal indicates conditions of the second category, operating the environmental control apparatus using a second setpoint.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the signal provides data related to energy prices at a particular time, and the method further includes selecting a price level, wherein once the price level is selected, the conditions of the second category are defined as occurring when energy prices meet or exceed the selected price level.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein the environmental control apparatus is an electrically powered device.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein the environmental control apparatus is an air conditioning unit.

26. The method of claim 22 wherein the environmental control apparatus is an HVAC system device.

27. The method of claim 22 wherein the environmental control apparatus is a hot water heater.

28. The method of claim 22 wherein whether the signal indicates conditions of the first category or the second category is determined, at least in part, in response to demands upon the utility.

29. A method of operating an air conditioner using a current setpoint, the method comprising:

receiving a signal from a utility that provides electricity to operate the air conditioner, the signal providing an indication of whether the air conditioner is to be operated in a normal fashion or not;

if the signal indicates that the air conditioner may be operated in a normal fashion, operating the air conditioner using the current setpoint; and

if the signal indicates that the air conditioner should not be operated in a normal fashion, preventing operation of the air conditioner at a time and under conditions in which, if operated in the normal fashion, the air conditioner would operate.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the conditions in which the air conditioner is prevented from operating include conditions where a controlled space temperature exceeds the setpoint but does not exceed the setpoint when adjusted by an offset.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein the signal is related to electricity demand conditions experienced by the utility.